The draw for the 2026-27 UEFA Conference League league phase is set for Friday, 28 August, kicking off at 12:00 BST in Monaco. It will be held as a joint event alongside the Europa League draw, with the Conference League expected to follow as the second of the two ceremonies.

How does the format work?

As with the Champions League and Europa League, the Conference League will feature 36 clubs in its league phase. Each side will play six matches during that stage — two fewer than the eight played in the other two competitions — facing one opponent drawn from each of six seeded pots.

Teams cannot be drawn against a club from the same nation, and pot placements are determined by UEFA's club coefficient rankings, calculated across the five-season period ending at the close of the 2025-26 campaign.

The top eight clubs at the end of the league phase will progress directly to the round of 16. Those finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a play-off knockout round for the chance to join them. The bottom 12 — positions 25 to 36 — will be eliminated from European football entirely at that stage.

Which British and Irish clubs are involved?

Heart of Midlothian are the only side already confirmed for the league phase, their qualifying tie having been scheduled a day earlier than the rest. The Edinburgh club — known to their supporters as the Jam Tarts — could land as high as pot two, though a lower pot is considered more likely given the volume of higher-ranked clubs still in qualifying.

Rangers are guaranteed a place in pot one should they come through their qualifying tie against Jablonec, given their UEFA coefficient standing relative to the other potential entrants. Brighton and Hove Albion could also theoretically reach pot one, but would need at least five of the 21 higher-ranked clubs currently in qualifying to fail to reach the league phase — a scenario that remains mathematically possible but unlikely.

Fellow Scottish clubs Motherwell and Hibernian are both still in contention, though their coefficient rankings mean either side would drop into one of the lower pots if they qualify. Interestingly, Shamrock Rovers of the Republic of Ireland rank above both Scottish clubs on the coefficient table — with only Rangers and Brighton ahead of them among British and Irish sides in the draw. Larne, representing Northern Ireland, also rank higher than Motherwell and Hibernian on current coefficients.

Who else could feature?

The list of potential league phase entrants includes some significant names. Benfica, Atalanta and Braga are among those who would enter pot one if they qualify — all three are currently involved in qualifying ties. Ajax, PAOK, Anderlecht, Copenhagen and Gent are also among clubs who could reach the group, along with Hajduk Split, Panathinaikos, FC Twente and Red Bull Salzburg, pending their results.

The full list of 36 teams — 35 of whom are to be confirmed on Thursday ahead of Friday's draw — includes winners and losers from various qualifying rounds, reflecting the competition's role as a route into European football for clubs who have narrowly missed out elsewhere.

Why does this competition matter?

Three of the last four Conference League trophies have been lifted by Premier League clubs, underlining how seriously English sides have come to take the competition. For clubs outside the Champions League and Europa League, it represents a genuine opportunity for silverware and the increased revenue and profile that comes with a European run.

With Hearts already in, and Rangers, Brighton, Motherwell, Hibernian, Shamrock Rovers and Larne all still in with a chance, Friday's draw could hand British and Irish football a significant presence in the 2026-27 edition.

Frequently asked

When is the Conference League 2026-27 draw and where can I watch it?
The league phase draw takes place on Friday 28 August at 12:00 BST in Monaco. It is held as a joint event with the Europa League draw, with the Conference League draw expected to follow second.
Which British clubs are in the Conference League 2026-27?
Heart of Midlothian are already confirmed. Rangers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Motherwell, Hibernian and Larne are all still in qualifying and could join them, with results on Thursday determining who makes the league phase.
How does the Conference League league phase format work?
36 clubs are split into six pots. Each team plays six matches, one against a side from each pot, with no two clubs from the same country meeting. The top eight advance directly to the round of 16, ninth to 24th enter a play-off round, and 25th to 36th are eliminated.